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At BioFach in Germany 2 weeks ago I realised I had visited the show 21 consecutive years and most years exhibiting. Now I am heading to expo west in Anaheim, CA, which is a very different show but nevertheless the nro 1 show for organics in North America. This is only the 3rd time in a row to visit expo west but I’ve been there a couple of times in previous years so probably my 6th visit there.

Our organic potato starch has been distributed in North America for a few years now by Ciranda Inc. and we are just now starting with the organic oats after finalising the qualification process to be sure everything goes right when it is launched. You will find Ciranda Inc at expo west – or more precisely at engredea in Hall A, Booth 344. Engredea is the ingredients side show linked to expo west.

Organic potato starch is a remarkable product in terms of natural functionality. With functionality we mean water binding, viscosity forming, moisture barrier, gluing, carrier etc. It has the best functionality among the major native starches and in many applications the only starch that offers functionality. This is because it has the best water binding and viscosity creating capacity but even more because it functions in lower temperatures than f.ex. corn or tapioca starch. In many cases it is the only native starch that functions in the temperatures that are relevant in the food process. This becomes very interesting when you need to develop organic products where on the conventional side you would use modified starches or other hydrocolloids. Suddenly you need to understand more about native starches than what is necessary in the mainstream industry. For further flexibility in designing the process we also offer cold-swelling (pre-gel) organic potato starch. We can offer application support in your specific product development cases. On the consumer market we are seeing increasing interest in potato starch as the best source of resistant starch. Come and visit us at Ciranda’s booth to learn more!

From a North-American perspective oats comes mostly from the northern parts of the continent, Canada being the main producer. Likewise in Europe oats is mainly produced in Northern Europe and Finland is the biggest producer of organic oats in Europe. With a small population of only 5 million we cannot eat it all, so it has always been also exported. The popularity of oats has been increasing in recent years all over the world – and for a good reason. It is tasty, versatile to use and healthy. Oat betaglucan contributes to lowering blood cholesterol levels, which is a recognised health claim both in USA (FDA) and in the EU (EFSA). Oats is naturally gluten-free although most operators can not guarantee it due to contamination with wheat along the value-chain. However for someone who is not celiac diagnosed but follows a gluten-free diet for well-being, oats is certainly a safe choice. (Fazer oats are not certified gluten-free.) Through Ciranda Inc. we offer oat flakes (rolled oats), steel-cut oats and oat flour to the North American market and we hope to contribute to this growing market. An other reason to come and visit us at Ciranda’s booth and learn more!

Both the organic potato starch and organic oats enter the North American market based on the EU-USA organic equivalence agreement. For organic potato starch we can offer third countries also NOP certified organic potato starch. If you are NOP certified in a third country this enables you to use our organic potato starch in your NOP certified products.

I will be present through the whole expo west -show, but feel free to contact me for arranging a meeting. Email erkki (at) organic-finland.com

The Latvian potato starch manufacturer Aloja Starkelsen SIA focuses on production of certified organic potato starch. Aloja Starkelsen is the leader company in the Baltic Organic Potato project aiming to develop organic potato cultivation in the Baltic states – mainly Latvia and Estonia. Already the project has been successful in securing the raw-material base for Aloja Starkelsen’s expanding organic potato starch production. In 2011 Aloja Starkelsen and Finnish Finnamyl Ltd entered into cooperation for expanding organic potato starch production and market. Also in Finland an increase in organic starch potato cultivation has been achieved making Aloja Starkelsen and Finnamyl together the biggest organic starch producer in Northern Europe. Organic Food Finland is responsible for marketing and selling the organic potato starch from both sources. With both Aloja Starkelsen and Finnamyl expanding their organic potato starch production customers can count on consistent, reliable and long-term supply.

Aloja Starkelsen is exhibiting at Health Ingredients Europe on 13th to 15th November 2012 in Frankfurt. Please join us there at our stand at the Organic Pavilion, stand H36.

Hi Europe & Ni is the global meeting place for all stakeholders in the health and natural ingredients industry.

Aloja Starkelsen and Finnamyl together are leading manufacturers and suppliers of organic potato starch. Organic Food Finland is responsible for the sales and marketing for both companies. Erkki Pöytäniemi is at your disposal for any inquiries or questions.

FI Europe is recognised as the world’s best platform for making and maintaining contacts in the food ingredients industry. This year FIE will be held in Paris on 29th November to 1st December. For years also organic ingredients have been presented at FIE at the special Organic Pavilion where also organic potato starch from Aloja Starkelsen and Finnamyl is presented on stand 3D82 (or look for Aloja Starkelsen SIA in the Catalogue). Contact me [erkki(at)organic-finland.com] to schedule a meeting or just come and meet us on the stand.

In the past years the availability of organic potato starch has been insufficient on the European market. This has created a bottleneck for some processed organic products where potato starch would be the natural choice ingredient. Now Aloja Starkelsen Ltd in Latvia – a subsidiary of Swedish Culinar Ltd – and Finnish Finnamyl Ltd have entered into cooperation for expanding organic potato starch production and market. Culinar in Sweden and Latvia together with Finnamyl in Finland represent about one third of the total production of organic potato starch in Europe. The production will be further increased in Latvia and Finland in the coming years securing a reliable long-term source for processors in need of organic potato starch. The native potato starch is available certified both to EU organic standards and to NOP standards for the US market.

Potato starch has applications in many food products including soups and sauces, canned food, noodles and pasta, bakery products and processed meat products among others.

The organic potato starch will be presented at Culinar’s stand in the Organic Pavilion of Food Ingredients Exhibition (FIE stand 3D82 in Hall 3) in Paris on 30.11. to 1.12. and at Finnamyl’s stand in BioFach in Nuremberg in February 2012.

The sales of the organic potato starch from both Culinar and Finnamyl is taken care of by Organic Food Finland who has been responsible for sales of organic potato starch from Finnamyl since 2003. Mr Erkki Pöytäniemi at Organic Food Finland has a long experience in international organic business and export. His contact details can be found below or you can use the contact form.